Rygel is an open source project that provides users with both a command-line and graphical application that implements a lightweight UPnP media server. It has been tailored for users of the GNOME desktop environment.

Features at a glance

It allows Linux users to easily share video, picture and music files to any UPnP compatible device, locally or remote. For example, you can access the files from your PC or laptop with another computer, smart TV, gaming console, tablet, smartphone or media center devices.

In other words, with Rygel you will be able to browse and play media stored on a computer through a PlayStation or Xbox console, easily search and play media using a laptop, phone or smart TV, as well as to redirect sound output to DLNA speakers.

Command-line options

On the other hand, the command-line, which is the most important part of the program, empowers users to disable media transcoding, disallow upload and deletion of files, set a specific network interface and port, and set the path of a certain engine or plugin.

Additionally, it can be used to disable a certain plugin, set plugin titles and options, disable UPnP for a streaming-only operation, force the program to use a specific configuration file instead of the default user configuration, shutdown remote Rygel reference, and use comma-separated list of domain:level pairs for logging.

Under the hood

Being written in the Vala programming language, the application provides users with a GTK+ graphical user interface, accessible with the rygel-preferences command, that allows them to share media through the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) protocol, add or remove dedicated media folders, and add or remove network interfaces.

The application is based on the GUPnP framework and supports pluggable media providers. It is the most lightweight and easy to use UPnP media server for Linux-based operating systems. But if you want more, you should try XBMC or Plex Media Server.